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Self-help Resources

Security | Windows | Other OSs | Software/Hardware | Internet | Web Design
About these Resources

Please read the Link Guidelines/Policies before contacting me.

COVID-19 Information

• Reliable resources for COVID-19.
• Virtual meeting software (downloads, configuration, etiquette).

Computer & Internet Security

Security Basics | Staying Safe Online | Internet at Risk | Privacy | Securing Your System | Recovering Your System

Phone calls from a “technical support” person saying that you have a problem with your computer are all SCAMS. There are many varieties of scams, all designed to steal from you. Just hang up.

Security Basics

See basic computer terminology and Windows terminology for explanations.

• Security Basics — preventing unauthorized access
  • Stop and think
  • Key elements of security
  • Critical warning popups that won't go away
• Security Strategies — preventing infections
  • Security has changed
  • Zero-day exploits
  • Avoid security pitfalls
  • Prepare for recovery
  • Use email wisely
  • Avoid social engineering
• Security Policies — protecting your computers & network
  • Business computers
  • Home computers
  • Servicing your computers
• Passwords & protecting your electronic signature
  • Sign-on with Google or Facebook?
  • Two-factor security
  • Generating passwords
  • Password software
  • LastPass
• Clean-up your computers & devices
• Safely disposing of computers

Staying Safe Online

• Spam: unsolicited emails and mailing lists
  • Locating email headers
  • Domain Registry of Canada scam
• Identity Theft — obtaining information by deceit
  • Report identity theft
  • Privacy and DNA
  • Think before posting on social media
• Phone Fraud — scamming by phone
  • “Computer support” calls
  • Phone numbers listed in error messages
• Phishing & email scams
  • Spear phishing uses personal information
  • How phishing works
  • Unmasking fake links
  • Short links (URLs)
  • Email headers
• Safer browsing
  • Choose a safer browser
  • Browser settings
  • Use encrypted (HTTPS) sites where possible
  • Tracking your browser
• Mobile Security — vulnerabilities in mobile devices
• Social Media — connecting socially
  • Choose carefully
  • Check your privacy settings
  • Social media for business
• Virtual meeting software
  • Download the software
  • Business meeting etiquette
  • Configuring your hardware
  • About Webex | About Zoom
  • Security considerations

The Internet at Risk

• The Open Internet at Risk
  • Bill C-10 must be defeated.
  • What is net neutrality?
  • Big media wants a two-tiered Internet
  • Data caps

Privacy

• Your privacy at risk
  • Your devices watching you
  • Amazon Sidewalk
  • Biometrics
  • Free WiFi presents a risk
  • Privacy on mobile devices
  • Personal DNA tests
  • Think before posting on social media
• The surveillance economy
  • Everyone's collecting your information
  • “We're only collecting metadata”
  • Fix Bill C-11
  • Repeal Bill C-51
  • Browser fingerprinting
• Data breaches reveal personal data
• Restoring Your Privacy
  • Take back your privacy
  • Privacy policies
  • Log-ins with Your Facebook or Google ID
  • VPNs
• Encryption: protecting your data

Securing Your System

• Firewalls: your first line of defense
  • Firewall basics
  • Routers
  • Testing your firewall
• ZoneAlarm Security: recommended security solution
• Security software: evaluations & solutions
  • Recommended security solutions
  • Evaluating security software
  • Hoaxes
• Malware (Spyware) Detection & Removal
  • Critical warning popups that won't go away
  • Keyloggers
  • Stalkerware
• Ransomware: Holding your digital life for ransom
• Vulnerabilities in Internet software
  • Browser weaknesses
  • Email weaknesses
  • Plugin vulnerabilities
• Vulnerabilities in Windows

Recovering Your System

• Backup & Recovery Strategies
  • Backing up your Mac
  • Cloud backup services
  • Windows hidden application data
• Recovering your Windows installation
  • System Restore — revert Windows settings
  • Clean install
• Troubleshooting: recovering from hardware issues

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Microsoft Windows

Windows Basics | Current (Supported) Versions | Upgrading Windows | Legacy Windows

Windows Basics

• Windows — versions, hardware & support life-cycles
• Windows basics — general concepts & terminology
  • Terminology
  • Windows hidden folders
  • File extensions
• Troubleshooting Microsoft services

Current (Supported) Versions

• Windows 10 (see Modern Lifecycle)
• Windows 8.1 (Jan. 10, 2023)

Upgrading Windows

• Replacing Windows: Upgrading when support ends
  • Planning for Windows replacement
  • Preparing to upgrade
  • Alternatives to Windows
  • Switching to a Mac
  • Moving to Linux

Legacy (Unsupported) Windows

Support has expired for these versions and they are unsafe to use.

• Windows 7 (Jan. 14, 2020)
• Windows Vista (Apr. 11, 2017)
• Windows XP (Apr. 8, 2014)
• Legacy Windows — 95, 98, ME, NT & 2000
• Legacy Windows recovery hints
• Legacy hardware & software — solutions for older computers

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Other Operating Systems

The following pages on this site deal with alternatives to Windows:

• Linux — distributions, desktops & documentation
• Mac — information & software
• IBM OS/2, eComStation & ArcaOS

Running Multiple Operating Systems (Advanced)

• Dual-booting, partitions & file systems
• Java

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Software & Hardware

General Concepts & Terminology | Software Recommendations | Networking

General Concepts & Terminology

• Computer basics & terminology
  • Software terminology
  • Hardware terminology
  • Internet terminology
  • Software versions
  • Email headers
• Windows basics
• The “Cloud”
  • Web Apps
  • Online storage & backup
  • Software as a Service
  • Subscription services
  • The Internet of Things
• How to do a screen capture
• Is the Desktop PC Dead?
• Safely disposing of computers

Software Recommendations

• Recommended software — useful & reliable programs
  • Internet | PDF | Graphics | VLC Player
  • Office Suites | Editors | Utilities
• Updating your software
  • Upgrade or uninstall obsolete software
  • Downloading software
  • Installation hints
• Able2Extract Professional 12 review
• Web Browsers
  • Choosing a browser
  • Customize your browser
• Browser extensions
• Browser plugins: legacy addons
  • Plugin vulnerabilities
• Email software
  • Recommended email clients
  • Webmail
• Shareware & freeware — definitions & sources

Networking

• Home networking — simple networks: sharing & security
  • Network troubleshooting
  • Internet terminology
  • Network components
  • Sharing files on Windows 10 networks
• Firewalls — your first line of defense

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Internet Issues

The following pages on this site deal with issues of using the Internet and Internet software. See Software & Hardware for downloads of Internet software.

Connection Issues | Finding Information | Email Issues | Web Browser Issues

Connection Issues

• Troubleshooting your Internet access
  • Internet terminology
  • Firewalls — general connection problems
  • ZoneAlarm Security — Internet access issues
• Programs with access problems

Finding Information

• Search Engines & Databases
  • Databases & indexes
  • Verifying information
  • Search privacy issues.
  • Effective searches
  • Avoid “sponsored” results

Email Issues

• Email Troubleshooting
  • Outlook resources
  • winmail.dat
  • IMAP issues
• Safer email
  • Email security
  • Email tracking
  • Malicious attachments
  • Security protocols
  • Email headers
• Configuring Pocomail & Barca
• Email newsletters
  • Opt-out is sneaky & unethical
  • Use opt-in — allow site visitors to choose
  • Legal issues
• Email address etiquette — using To:, CC: & BCC: correctly
• Avoiding spam — unsolicited emails and mailing lists
  • Email hoaxes
  • Email headers
• Phishing: email scams
  • Short URLs
  • Email headers

Web Browser Issues

• Safer browsing
  • Choosing a browser
  • browser fingerprinting
  • Adobe & Java make Windows insecure
  • Web browser weaknesses
• Browser troubleshooting
  • Java support ended for most browsers

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Website Design

Building a Website | Design Issues | The power of CSS

The following pages on this site deal with website design:

Building a Website

• Web Design Basics — an introduction to web design
• Web Design Resources — tips & tools
  • Validation
  • JavaScript is not Java
  • SEO
• Graphics & stock photos
• Cut 'N Paste HTML Editing — an HTML primer
  • CSS — Cascading Style Sheets

Design Issues

• Multiple screen resolutions
• Responsible Net commerce — avoiding e-commerce pitfalls
  • Avoid opt-out; use opt-in
  • Copyright — who owns content on the Internet?
  • Jurisdictional issues

The power of CSS

These are two identical pages except that CSS is disabled in the second example:

• Alice with CSS
• Alice without CSS (the display issues are intentional)